Study of Dietary Risk Factors Involved in the Occurrence of Gastroesophageal Reflux Among Students in Ivory Coast

In 2016, the work of Amoikon <i>et al</i> showed a high prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux and inappropriate eating habits in student populations in Ivory Coast. With the aim of continuing this work through the search for explanatory dietary factors, a dietary study was carried out. It took place from October 15, 2016 to February 17, 2017, in a population of 1228 students, with an average age of 22.5 years, dominated by the male sex. This is a prospective cross-sectional study, with a descriptive and analytical aim, with the main objective of studying the relationship between eating habits and the occurrence of gastroesophageal reflux among students in Ivory Coast. The evaluation of pathologies frequently encountered in the population revealed a prevalence of 29.3% of gastroesophageal reflux. The analysis of the relationship between eating behaviors and the occurrence of the pathology revealed the involvement the high consumption of carbonated drinks, spicy foods, non-alcoholic exciting products, and flavor enhancer products. In view of these results we can conclude that unrationalized eating habits can lead to health problems. This study proves that certain inadequate dietary behaviors are responsible for gastroesophageal reflux in students’ population and could have repercussions on the success rate in our universities. In order to avoid this situation, it would be important to organize awareness campaigns for behavior change with a view to improve their state of health.